Putintseva swaps racquet for a sword in celebration

By Niko Vercelletto Jan 05, 2018
Style Points

One and done: Rounding up the best Wimbledon outfits we lost in Day 2 chaos

By Stephanie Livaudais Jul 01, 2025
Quote of the Day

Novak Djokovic says a doctor's "miracle pills" helped his stomach during his win

By Associated Press Jul 01, 2025
Style Points

Nike gifts Alexandra Eala hair tie featuring Philippines' national flower ahead of Centre Court debut

By Baseline Staff Jul 01, 2025
Style Points

Carlos Alcaraz brings back Wimbledon cardigan in Roger Federer-inspired look

By Stephanie Livaudais Jul 01, 2025
Quote of the Day

Stefanos Tsitsipas hits "limit" after Wimbledon retirement: "There's no point to competing"

By Stephanie Livaudais Jun 30, 2025
Pop Culture

David Beckham and Maria Sharapova among celebrities that attend Day 1 of Wimbledon

By Associated Press Jun 30, 2025
Your Game

With its low, skidding bounce, the slice shot is a Wimbledon staple

By Jon Levey Jun 30, 2025
Social

"Funny story...": Jannik Sinner only "just met" US Open mixed doubles partner Emma Navarro

By Baseline Staff Jun 29, 2025
Your Game

Yonex celebrates 15 years of POLYTOUR PRO string with collectible cards, community-building campaign

By Baseline Staff Jun 29, 2025

Putintseva swaps racquet for a sword in celebration

The player from Kazakhstan opened a Moet and Chandon champagne bo

ByNiko Vercelletto

Published Jan 05, 2018

Tennis players sometimes wield their racquets like weapons against their enemies on court, but rarely do they hold a literal sword, let alone use it as a champagne bottle opener.

Yulia Putintseva, the No. 50-ranked player in the world, lived out a French celebratory tradition as she attended an event in Auckland hosted by Moet and Chandon. Using the sword to pop open the bottle, the Kazakhstani was scared at first, but embraced the challenge.

Advertising

"I didn't know that you have to open the bottle of champagne with knife like that, so it's pretty surprising...," she said. "That's cool, and it's good to learn something new."

The 22-year-old began her 2018 season at the Auckland Open as the sixth seed, but lost to Ysaline Bonaventure in the first round, 6-3, 6-3.

JANUARY: THIS MONTH ON TENNIS CHANNEL PLUS

NEW SEASON, MORE TENNIS! Get Tennis Channel Plus now at BuyTCPlus.com

A LOT of tennis action will be played on Tennis Channel Plus from January through June

Starting with January …  gear up for the Australian Open with LIVE tournaments in the lead up to AO, exclusively on Tennis Channel Plus

  1. Hopman Cup

  2. ATP Sydney

  3. Fast 4 Sydney

  4. World Tennis Channel – Adelaide

  5. Australian Open Qualifying

  6. Australian Open (Best 20 Matches of AO will be on-demand)